SPOTLIGHT | Newest from Almodovar; female-led action in 'The 355'; and award season preview

Spotlight is our entertainment bite-sized snapshot featuring new entertainment releases in SA, exclusive film trailers and much more. New episodes are out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and on YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.

In the final episode of Spotlight for 2021, we look at some of the highlights brought to you during the year, some of the hottest contenders for the Golden Globe Awards and Critics Choice Movie awards, as well as the latest offering from Spanish master filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar, Madres Paralelas (Parallel Mothers).

The acclaimed director of such films as Pain & Glory, All About My Mother and Talk to Her envelops us in a heartfelt drama about two single first-time mothers, who bond with one another in a hospital room over their fears and regrets about motherhood, and comfort each other through this journey. 

Again Almodóvar, as in so many of his productions, casts the ageless Penelope Cruz as the character of Janis, with Milena Smit as Ana, in this film with an unexpected twist. The movie already has an outstanding Rotten Tomatoes rating of 100% and has bagged a bunch of awards. Don’t miss this highly recommended film at cinemas from Friday December 31.

We also look ahead to the female-led spy crew that will be kicking butts at cinemas from January 7 in The 355. From the studio that brought you Jason Bourne, the film stars Jessica Chastain, Fan Bingbing, Penelope Cruz, Diane Kruger and Lupita Nyong’o. This ensemble cast embarks on a breakneck mission to save the world in an adrenalin-filled action movie to kick-start the New Year.

Look out for Spotlight highlights of the previous 29 episodes, featuring entertainment offerings across all screens. We also have a look at the big films making the first award season’s shortlists, featuring some of the front-runners for the Golden Globe Awards and Critics Choice Movie Awards (both ceremonies on January 9 2022) which appeared on Spotlight, such as West Side Story, Dune, Spencer, House of Gucci and many more.

Spotlight will be back in 2022 on January 13. We wish all our viewers a happy New Year. Don’t forget to head over to @Spotlight South Africa on Facebook, for new trailer releases, competitions and updates.

For full interviews, breaking news, trailers, clips and competition details, visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies!

Presenter Collette Prince is dressed by Kalea Collective.

Win movie merchandise hampers

This week, stand in line to win hampers from The 355 movie release, at cinemas from  January 7 2022.

To enter, visit Spotlight SA on Facebook for all the details. 

Terms and conditions apply.

Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed.  Entrants’ personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driver’s licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.